Joe Netsfan Game x Game 71 - Nets 106, Knicks 91

Right past Nicky Knicksfan again and again

Nets 106, Knicks 91
Game 71 File
The Nets break their road losing streak big against the Knicks by getting the offense moving. Richard Jefferson stars in the first half, Vince Carter and Nenad Krstic break things open in the third, and a late Knick comeback fizzles quickly as the Nets get a very important win and avoid the season's sweep by the Knicks.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 30 - 41
Home Record: 18 - 18
Away Record: 12 - 23
Division Record: 3 - 9
Conf. Record: 22 - 20
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Vince Carter, 27.
• Assists: Vince Carter, 7.
• Rebounds: Josh Boone, 11.
• Steals: Harris,Carter and Diop each had 1.
• Turnovers: Vince Carter, 4.
• Blocks: Devin Harris, 3.
• FG Percentage: Richard Jefferson, 70.0% (7 - 10).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 53.6%
• FT Percentage: 73.3%
• Rebounds: 45
• Rebound Differential: +6 • Turnovers: 18
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 7
• Bench points: 15
• Bench points Differential:-1
• Steals: 3
• Blocks: 5
• Points in the Paint: 30
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 3
• Nets Fast Break Points: 14
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 36.4% (4 - 11)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: +21
• Scoring Differential Harris out: -6 (M. Williams)

Nets Media
Bergen Record | Nets
Newark Star-Ledger | Nets
Newsday | Nets
NY Daily News | NBA
NY Post | Nets
NY Times | Pro Basketball
YES Network | Nets

Nets Team Pages
CNNSI.com | Nets
ESPN.com | Nets
FoxSports | Nets
NBA.com | Nets
Sportsline.com | Nets

Knicks Media:
Newsday | Knicks
New York Post | Knicks
New York Times | Pro Basketball

Game 71: Nets 106, Knicks 91 – March 24 , 2008
EZ Pass
Hope it was as easy for the Nets to get through the Lincoln Tunnel for this Nets/Knicks matchup as it was for them to drive right through the Garden to finally get a road win. In fact, if it weren't for all the breakdowns along the way, the Nets could have easily won this game by more than 15 points, because Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Nenad Krstic all had the EZ Pass into the lane, the open spots on the floor, and best of all, the bottom of the net. Back to a game behind the Hawks for eighth place, the road woes temporarily paid off, and the season's sweep at the hands of the Knicks avoided - what more could one ask for in a win?

The Nets started out with the intention of driving back across the Hudson with a win, and Richard Jefferson had a free ticket to the Knicks defense early, hitting four threes on his way to a huge first half (21 points). The Knicks, looking as befuddled on offense as the driver looking for loose change to pay his tolls, nonetheless took advantage of the Nets' haste to lay waste by forcing turnovers and keeping what should have been a twenty point lead down to a manageable 8 at the end of the first and 11 at the break.

And if it was clear sailing in that first half, well, it was no speed limit for most of the third quarter, as Carter started the avoidance of any Knick toll, then combined with Krstic on the pick and roll to decimate the Knicks. Carter's last three brought the lead to 26 with 2:31 to go in the third quarter, and realistically the Knicks were arrested for defensive evasion. Of course, this being the Nets, the Knicks then ran off a 12 - 2 run to make things interesting (Jamal Crawford was behind it, of course), but the Nets managed to restore order with a Boki Nachbar three and then on a Krstic jumper from Carter that opened what had become a 12 point lead back up to safety.

A win against the Knicks is always enjoyable, and avoiding a sweep is certainly appreciated. But the Nets had to win this game, so it was important that they keep their wits about them, follow the vets, and get something done across the river. Consider that last toll paid in full.

Road & Travel Conditions
All Lanes Through - Nice of the Nets to finally get a win on the road, and do so by beating the hated Knicks. Of course, the offense was humming along for much of the game, keyed by Vince Carter (another fine all around game - 27 points, 6 boards, and 7 assists) and Richard Jefferson (26 points, 21 in the first half). Nenad Krstic, looking as confident with his shot as we've seen all season, also made a living off the pick and roll with Carter to finish with 22 points. We'd hate to spoil things by pointing out the Nets again couldn't finish off a weak opponent early, and all those damned turnovers (18 tonight, many unforced), so we won't.
Bridges And Tunnels - And with the offensive flow went the defensive intensity, as the Knicks shot just 40% and had a hard time getting any rhythm for much of the game. Jamal Crawford (who shot 8 - 22), Zach Randolph (8 - 18) and David Lee (5 - 13) couldn't carry the Knicks, and the Nets were sure to contest shots even as they couldn't get their hands on anything (only 6 turnovers for the Knicks, only 3 steals for the Nets - wow, that's bad). Again, it's the Knicks, so temper the enthusiasm...
New Toll Rates In Effect - The Nets used that three ball to major effect, shooting 10 - 17 and watching Jefferson (who was 4 - 4) and Carter (who was 5 - 6) personally demoralize the Knicks every time they thought they were climbing back into the game. Oh, how we love the demoralizing three ball, but only when it falls...
Road Resurfacing - The first road win since February 8 in Charlotte doesn't mean much if the Nets can't scrape up a win at Indiana on Friday (they also play Indy at home on Wednesday, and could do themselves a major favor in the playoff race if they win both games). But it's always nice to get a win at the Garden, and since the Knick fans booed New York when the lead got up around 26, it's even better...
No Traffic Report - Again, the starters were forced to carry much of the load tonight (RJ, VC and Krstic combined for 75 of the Nets 106 points), meaning the bench again was spotty and inconsistent. We always let out at least one scream when Marcus Williams is quarterbacking, because of a dumb, unforced error. Boki Nachbar is apparently hurt (back), so his effectiveness has disappeared. Sean Williams is as up and down as any rookie (memo to Area 51 - don't touch any of Vince Carter's shots around the cylinder...). Desagana Diop has his moments, but doesn't scare anyone. Stromile Swift was inactive, and Maurice Ager made a cameo in garbage time. So, what to do? Can the Nets starters keep carrying the load and get them into the playoffs? We already know that VC and RJ said no, so it's highly doubtful.
Paying The Toll - With the victory, the Nets avoid a sub-.500 record for the season for at least another game. If they run the table, they CAN finish 41 - 41 (like last year), but I'd say the odds of that happening are somewhere between Keith Van Horn suiting up and sitting on the bench for these last 11 games and Stephon Marbury becoming a Net again.

Commuter Discount
Yes, the Nets got a win on the road (finally!) against the hated Knicks, thanks to Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Nenad Krstic. But is that really enough to get them into the playoffs? Well, since they still sit a game behind with 11 to play, the answer is of course not. Can the Nets get on any type of run now, and force their way into the playoffs? Also not likely, given the season that's been, but maybe, just maybe, they can continue to win the games they must win, and play better with their backs against the wall. No complaints about the energy or intensity on both ends of the court, really. The only complaint is about them being in this position in the first place...but for a night, and win in the Garden, we'll cut the Nets a little slack.
- Joe